Conflict
Crisis/Conflict/Terrorism
Three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 13 May 2025, 02:49 am Print

Three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir Shopian Encounter

Indian soldiers. Photo Courtesy: Chinar Corps X handle

At least three terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit were killed during a gunfight with security forces in the Zinpather Keller area of Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian area on Tuesday.

One Lashkar terrorist, Shahid -- a local resident -- has been identified so far, sources told India Today.

Confirming the development, Indian Army wrote on X: "On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a #RashtriyasRifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, #Shopian, #IndianArmy launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists."

The incident assumes significance due to the timing since India and Pakistan, the two warring neighbours were engaged in a conflict for the past several days, reached a ceasefire deal on Saturday.

The April 22 killing of 26 people, mostly non-Muslim tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam by armed gunmen triggered worldwide condemnation and marked the first major terror attack in the Valley since 2019. In the past six years, Kashmir was slowly returning to normalcy with a large number of tourists visiting the region.

India avenged the attack with its Armed Forces conducting an airstrike- dubbed as Operation Sindoor- on terrorists camps in Pakistan and Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7.

A fierce military conflict between India and Pakistan ensued after the Pakistani Army launched an attack on India without any provocation.

After India's befitting response caused a major damage to Pakistan's defence, Islamabad had reached out to New Delhi for the halt of the military operation.

Earlier in the morning, Indian PM Narendra Modi reached Punjab’s Adampur air base and met security personnel.

After his visit, Modi wrote on X: "Earlier this morning, I went to AFS Adampur and met our brave air warriors and soldiers. It was a very special experience to be with those who epitomise courage, determination and fearlessness. India is eternally grateful to our armed forces for everything they do for our nation."

Modi's Address On Operation Sindoor

In a bold address to the nation, his first one after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent out a loud message against terrorism and "terror-backing state" Pakistan, stating that India will not tolerate any such misadventure or give in to nuclear blackmailing, and instead deliver a befitting reply in its own terms.

He started the address by lauding the Indian armed forces for Operation Sindoor and reiterating how the April 22 Pahalgam attack had pained him personally.

"Following the Pahalgam attack, every citizen as well as every political party united to see strong action against this attack. The government had then given full freedom to our armed forces to respond to the terrorist attack," PM Modi said.

Reiterating that India has zero tolerance against terrorism, Modi said, "Our fight against terrorism is not over. We have just paused our action for now, and we will measure every move taken by Pakistan to deal with them in the future."

"Operation Sindoor has scripted a new normal that India will give a befitting reply to terrorism if we are attacked. We will strike at those places from where terrorism originates," he said.